Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “Outcomes Measurements: The Road from Volume to Value” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in March 2021.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “Outcomes Measurements: The Road from Volume to Value” March 2021. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/outcomes-measurements-the-road-from-volume-to-value/
Outcomes Measurements: The Road from Volume to Value – Summary
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses the shifting paradigm in healthcare from the volume of services provided to the value of services. He describes outcome management, how to get started, and challenges to this approach. This client-centric approach to healthcare delivery redefines value to equal health outcomes that matter to the patient divided by cost. To implement this approach, Dr. Baum advises starting with conditions that have quantifiable measures such as radical prostatectomy, BPH, or ureteral stones. Outcomes have historically been measured by mortality, morbidity, readmission rate, and length of stay, but the new standard will consider patient satisfaction, which can be measured by looking at the length of time it took to for the patient to make an appointment, time spent waiting in the exam room, whether their questions were answered, and if they received a follow-up on test results. He notes that AUA guidelines can also provide a rubric for outcomes that are important to both the physician and the patient. Dr. Baum underscores that patients who have a positive experience have better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life. Similarly, outcome management is proactive and promotes innovation with the goal of improving care.
For more commentary on practice management and telemedicine from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.
